Tuning device

ABSTRACT

A tuning device of the capo-tasto-type for stringed instruments, wherein a supporting crossbeam carries a plurality of resilient pressure pieces, each contacting some of the strings of the instrument. In a preferred embodiment, the pressure pieces are spaced from the crossbeam and supported by individual supporting bridges above each string.

United States Patent Wowries 1 Mar. 7, 1972 [54] TUNING DEVICE 211 Appl.No.: 839,441

1,823,683 9/1931 Gardner ..84/318 3,185,012 5/1965 Dunlop ..84/3183,227,028 1/1966 Simms ..84/318 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS1,048,545 1 H1966 Great Britain ..84/3 14 Primary Examiner-Stephen J.Tomsky [30] Foreign Appnmfiun Priority Data Assistant Examiner-LawrenceR. Franklin July 8, 1968 Germany ..P 17 72 817.5 Attorney-Holman & Stem[52] U.S. Cl ..84/3l8, 84/452 ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl.... ...'......Gl0d3/00- A tuning device of the capo-tasto-type for stringed instru- [58]FieldofSearch ..84/3l8,315, 317,452 mems, wherein a supporting crossbeamGames a plurality of resilient pressure pieces, each contacting some ofthe strings [56] References of the instrument. In a preferredembodiment, the pressure UNITED STATES PATENTS pieces are spaced fromthe crossbeam and supported by individual supporting bridges above eachstring. 551,254 12/1895 Brand ..84/318 7 1,518,719 12/ 1924 Whiteman..84/318 3 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 1% IO "L0 ,19 u 16 BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION It has heretofore been proposed that the crossbeam of acapo tasto or similar tuning device be provided with a pressure piecefor each string which is arranged in a bed in order that it can beshifted in relation to height and is supported in a resilient manner.

The invention provides a further development of the tuning device byproviding the crossbeam with at least two pressure pieces and severalstrings being associated with each pressure piece.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is across-sectional view taken through the neck of a stringed instrument ofthe pluckingand strumming-type illustrating a tuning device embodyingthe present invention,

FIG. 2 is a view generally similar to FIG. 1 illustrating a furtherembodiment of the invention, and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 illustratingthe invention employed with a neck in which the fingerboard is convex.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the drawings, correspondingcomponents in the several embodiments will bear the same referencenumerals.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a neck 1 of a stringedinstrument of the plucking orstrumming type, such as a guitar, lute orbanjo, which is provided with a fingerboard 2 and a plurality of strings3-8 which extend longitudinally of the fingerboard. The strings 3-8 areadapted to be pressed downwardly by a'crossbeam C which constitutes theinventive tuning device.

The crossbeam includes a bed 9 and at least two pressure pieces 10 and11 arranged in the bed for pressing the strings resiliently against thefingerboard 2. It will be noted that several strings are associated witheach pressure piece and in FIG. 1, the strings 3, 4, and 5 areassociated with the pressure piece and the strings 6, 7, and 8 with thepressure piece 11.

The pressure pieces 10 and 11 are formed from a soft, resilient andelastic plastic material and it will be noted that the strings 3 and 4together with the strings 6 and 7 are impressed therein to depthscorrespond with their differing cross sections. The strings 5 and 8 ofsmallest cross section are disposed between the lower surfaces of thepressure pieces 10 and 11 on the one hand and the fingerboard 2 on theother hand.

With reference to FIG. 2, it will be noted that supporting bridges 12are provided for the crossbeam 9 and the bridges 12 are disposed inparallelism to and aligned with the strings 3-8 and the bridgescorrespond in number to the number of strings. The bridges 12 rest onthe pressure pieces 10 and 11 so that upon pressing the tuning devicedownwardly onto the strings, the pressure pieces 10 and 11 are supportedagainst the crossbeam 9 by way of the bridges 12. In this fashion, abetter sound will develop following the tuning of the entire set ofstrings higher with the assistance of the tuning device.

Heretofore all types of designs of tuning device have been suitable onlyfor instruments of the plucking or strumming type which have a levelfingerboard. The present invention provides a tuning device whlch can beemployed with an instrument in which the fingerboard viewed in crosssection is curved convexly outwardly with the tuning device allowing thestrings to be pressed evenly against such fingerboard. To accomplish thedesired ends, a leaf spring bearing the pressure pieces and against theeffect of its own spring action between the ends thereof is adjustablyarranged so that it can be pressed or urged into the crossbeam.

A tuning device of this particular type is illustrated in FIG. 3 inwhich it will be noted the fingerboard 2 is curved convexly on the neck1 towards the exterior or top In order to press the strings 3-8 evenlyonto the fingerboard, the pressure pieces 10 and 11 are disposed on aleaf spring 13 which is arranged fixably to enable the spring to bepressed into the crossbeam 9 against the effect of its own spring actionbetween end portions 14 and 15. More specifically, the spring 13 bridgesor spans a groove 16 or recess provided in the crossbeam 9 and issupported between its end portions 14 and 15 by shoulders 17 and 18which limit the groove 16.

A screw 19 has its head 20 sunk in the crossbeam 9 at approximately thecenter of the groove 16 and the screw is forced through an aperture inthe leaf spring 13. A tightening nut 21 is threaded onto the screw 19for supporting the leaf spring.

With an increased tightening of the nut 21 on the screw 19,

- the leaf spring 13 will bend into the groove 16 of the crossbeam 9 andin this manner, the pressure pieces 10 and 11 will assume a curve whichcorresponds to the convex curve of the fingerboard 2. Hence, thereresults an arrangement in which the leaf spring is arranged fixably andthe spring can be pressed or urged into the groove 16 against the effectof its own spring action between its end portions 14 and 15.

This invention is not to be confined to any strict conformity to theshowings in the drawings changes or modifications may be made therein solong as such changes or modifications marked no material departure fromthe spirit and scope of the apended claims.

lclaimz 1. A tuning device for plucking and strumming instruments, suchas guitars, lutes and banjos, having a neck, a fingerboard and aplurality of strings extending longitudinally of the fin gerboard, saidtuning device comprising a crossbeam mounted on the neck and spanningthe fingerboard, and at last two pressure pieces mounted on saidcrossbeam, each of said pressure pieces engaging at least some of thestrings and comprising an elastic yieldable material into which each ofthe strings is pressed to a depth proportional to the diameter of therespective string, a leaf spring fixably arranged relative to thecrossbeam, said leaf spring carrying said pressure pieces and beingcapable of being pressed in an arcuate configuration into the crossbeamagainst the effect of its own spring action between the free endsthereof, whereby said tuning device may be mounted on an instrumenthaving a fingerboard of arcuate cross section, said crossbeam beingprovided with a groove bridged by said leaf spring, said leaf springbeing pressed into said groove intermediate its ends, and the free endsof the leaf spring being supported by shoulders on the crossbeam whichlimit the length of the groove.

2. The tuning device as claimed in claim 1 including a headed screw, thehead of the screw being sunk in the crossbeam centrally with respect tothe groove, the screw extending through an aperture in the leaf springand a nut threaded onto the screw for supporting the leaf spring on thecrossbeam.

3. A tuning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pressure piecesare spaced from said crossbeam, and further comprising a plurality ofupstanding supporting bridges corresponding in number to the number ofstrings, each of said supporting bridges being disposed parallel to andaligned with one of the strings, said pressure pieces being supported bysaid crossbeam only at said supporting bridges.

1. A tuning device for plucking and strumming instruments, such asguitars, lutes and banjos, having a neck, a fingerboard and a pluralityof strings extending longitudinally of the fingerboard, said tuningdevice comprising a crossbeam mounted on the neck and spanning thefingerboard, and at last two pressure pieces mounted on said crossbeam,each of said pressure pieces engaging at least some of the strings andcomprising an elastic yieldable material into which each of the stringsis pressed to a depth proportional to the diameter of the respectivestring, a leaf spring fixably arranged relative to the crossbeam, saidleaf spring carrying said pressure pieces and being capable of beingpressed in an arcuate configuration into the crossbeam against theeffect of its own spring action between the free ends thereof, wherebysaid tuning device may be mounted on an instrument having a fingerboardof arcuate cross section, said crossbeam being provided with a groovebridged by said leaf spring, said leaf spring being pressed into saidgroove intermediate its ends, and the free ends of the leaf spring beingsupported by shoulders on the crossbeam which limit the length of thegroove.
 2. The tuning device as claimed in claim 1 including a headedscrew, the head of the screw being sunk iN the crossbeam centrally withrespect to the groove, the screw extending through an aperture in theleaf spring and a nut threaded onto the screw for supporting the leafspring on the crossbeam.
 3. A tuning device as claimed in claim 1,wherein said pressure pieces are spaced from said crossbeam, and furthercomprising a plurality of upstanding supporting bridges corresponding innumber to the number of strings, each of said supporting bridges beingdisposed parallel to and aligned with one of the strings, said pressurepieces being supported by said crossbeam only at said supportingbridges.